grover norquist, president of americans for tax reform. norquist's pledge signed by almost all republicans in congress forbid signatories from raising taxes ever under any circumstances. things come to a head in the summer of 2011, republicans demand the government reduce the deficit as a condition for raising the nation's debt ceiling. without a deal, the u.s. would lose the ability to borrow money. both democrats and republicans deploy scorch earth tactics that nearly shut down the government and ultimately cost america its aaa credit rating for the first time in history. but in a last-minute compromise, both sides agree to $1 trillion in spending cuts up front and another $1.2 trillion in cuts to be decided by a special congressional super committee. but a poison pill was attached. if the super committee can't reach a deal, automatic across the board cuts known as the sequester would go into effect starting january 2013. at the exact moment when those bush tax cuts extended for two years, if you remember, would expire. so the point is,